Chapter 3: Castle of Lust/Partners in Crime
Back to interrogation
-"An old castle?"-Sae said with a clear sign of disbelief-"Too fictional to be true…"
-"It doesn't surprise me you wouldn't believe it."-Kazumi answered.
-"Furthermore, is the King you are talking this person?"-she showed Kazumi the photo of her PE teacher-"Suguru Kamoshida. A famous Olympic medallist. Sure, he committed despicable crimes against students for indulging...his desires."
-"However, according to your story, you did not make any connection with him in reality."-Sae said to her while she was thinking on something-"Why was he set as the first objective of the Phantom Thieves then? Explain it clearly."
-"Aside from what his Shadow did to me and my partner that time, there was more into him that we couldn't tolerate…"-Kazumi said as she went back to the story.
Back to the story
Kazumi and Morgana were at the mercy of Shadow Kamoshida. Ryuji couldn't help them in any way:
-"Although it was temporary, have you forgotten my kindness when I made the favor of supervising the track team's practice?"-Kamoshida said
-"It was no practice. It was physical abuse! You just didn't like our team."-Ryuji said as he clenched his fists.
-"It was nothing but an eyesore! The only one who needs to achieve results for the school is me!"-Kamoshida said, admitting his big ego.-"Even your previous coach was hopeless too. If he didn't opposed to me, the deal could have been settled just by breaking the leg of his team's star."
-"...What?"-Kazumi said surprised and looked at Ryuji who seemed really desperate.
-"Just what did he do to him…?"-she thought.
-"Damn it...Am I gonna lose again?"-Ryuji fell on his knees.-"Not only I can't run anymore… The track team was disbanded just because of this asshole…"
-"So, this is why you hate him so much…"-Kazumi thought and tried to reach her pocket but the guard captain pressed his foot on her to stop it.
-"Once I get rid of these two, you're next."-Kamoshida said.
-"Ryuji, don't stay there!"-Morgana yelled at him.
-"Don't let him win! It's not time to care about others now!"-Kazumi suddenly exclaimed to him.-"Don't you really hate this guy? Show him that you're not worthless, Ryuji-kun!"
-"...You're right."-Ryuji finally snapped-"I lost everything that was important to me because of this bastard. I'll never get them back but…"
-"Stay there and watch as these scums die for nothing because they sided with trash like you."-Kamoshida said.
-"Don't treat me like a trash! All you think is to use people to please yourself. You're the worst scum of the scums!"-Ryuji yelled as he stood up.
-"Stop lookin' down on me with that STUPID SMILE ON YOUR FACE!"-he finally exploded.
-"You made me wait quite a while."-the voice of a shadowy man resounded on Ryuji's mind and he started to feel an intense headache.-"You seek power correct? Then let us form a pact."-the boy fell on the floor, screaming and moving in intense pain.
-"Since your name has been disgraced already, why not raise the flag and break havoc?"-the voice continued as the others spectated Ryuji's pain. Kamoshida was smiling at it. He thought this was a great show to watch.-"The other you who exists desires it within thus…"
-"Morgana. What's happening to Ryuji-kun…?"-Kazumi murmured to the cat.
-"Don't you remember this, Miss Kazumi?"-Morgana was surprised that she was asking.-"Ryuji is awakening his rebellious spirit…"
-"I accept. Just give me your power already!"-Ryuji said on his mind.-"I don't want Kazumi to be killed!"
-"I am thou. Thou art I."-the voice sealed their contract-"There is no turning back. The skull of rebellion is your flag henceforth!"-in Ryuji's face, a metallic skull mask was placed.
-"Hmp! What can you do?"-the guard captain said as he raised his sword to kill Kazumi-"Cover in fear and watch!"-she closed her eyes waiting for the worst.
-"Agh... Hyarghhhhhhhh..!"-Ryuji screamed in rage as he took off the mask, ripping off his skin and catching on blue fire. The guards and Kamoshida were pushed by the energy created from the ignition of such.
From the blue fire, the giant spirit of a skeleton dressed up as a pirate with a canon and a hook as hands appeared floating in a skateboard-sized pirate ship with menacing anime eyes. He was staying behind Ryuji, whose uniform changed into a black thug outfit with a metallic spine on his back, yellow gloves and a red scarf tied on his neck. He finally faced up showing a confident smile.
-"So cool…"-Kazumi admired him while she was helping Morgana to stand up.
-"This one as well?"-Kamoshida said impressed.
-"Right on. Wassup, Persona…"-Ryuji said as he was looking his new self-"This effin' rocks!"
-"Now it's time for payback."-he said while Kazumi was holding Morgana, who was drinking a bottle of medicine, towards Ryuji.-"Yo, I'm ready...Bring it!"-the three of them prepared to fight.
-"Don't mock me you brat!"-the gold armored guard captain vanished in a sprout of blood revealing his true form, a red armored musculous knight with a large spiky fur on his helmet and horns on his head. He was holding a large spear and riding on a black horse. Other two horses with two horns showed up as well.
-"Blast him away, Captain Kidd!"-was Ryuji's battle cry. Both parties were ready to strike.
-"What troublemakers who bother King Kamoshida with trifle matters…"-the red knight said.
-"Kamoshida's mind ain't chaging right?"-Ryuji said-"Then I'll act as the troublemaker I am!"
-"Agh…"-Kazumi felt dizzy for a moment bringing the attention of her allies.
-"Miss Kazumi! Are you ok?"-Morgana said worried-"Are you low on stamina?"
-"Don't worry about me. We have to support Ryuji-kun."-she said trying to calm him with a smile.
-"I'll back you up then."-Ryuji said.-"I didn't get this far without you. I won't let them take you down. You agree with me, right Morgana?"
-"Don't act like a show off!"-Morgana complained-"But you're right!"
-"Guys…"-Kazumi was touched by their loyalty
-"Let's do this, Captain Kidd!"-Ryuji said as he put his mask back. Ryuji casted a thunder over one of the bihorned horses hitting his weak point.
-"Wow! He got his weakness at the first try!"-Morgana said surprised
-"Of course I do, idiot! I've been watchin' ya two fighting all this time. I know what to do."-Ryuji said with confidence as he hitted the weakness of the other one.
-"Just don't ran out of energy…"-Morgana sighed.
-"Miss Kazumi, hold on."-the cat used his skill 'Dia' to heal Kazumi while Ryuji went to hit the guard captain with a metal bar.
-"Thank you."-Kazumi now was ready to fight as Ryuji returned with them.-"Pixie, it's your time to shine!"-she changed her mask.
-"Zio!"-she exclaimed as she casted a thunder to knock down one of the horses twice.
-"You little…!"-the red knight attacked Ryuji tackling him down.
-"Morgana, distract him!"-Kazumi ordered to the cat.
-"Ok!"-Morgana summoned Zorro-"Witness my resolve! Garu!"-he casted a wind spell over him while Kazumi casted the Dia skill from Pixie on Ryuji.
-"Thanks!"-he said.
-"Do the honors, Ryuji-kun."-Kazumi said as she let him go after their last enemy.
-"Don't mind if I do!"-he said as he charged a mighty attack.-"Here I come!"-he proceeded to assert a critical hit with his melee weapon.
-"I am the most faithful knight of King Kamoshida...so why did I lose?"-the red knight lamented himself
-"That just shows that Kamoshida ain't anything special."-Ryuji replied as the Shadow vanished.
-"We did it!"-Kazumi said on celebration, however, Ryuji supported himself on his knees very tired.-"Ryuji-kun…?"
-"It's nothing. I'm alright."-he said without worry.
-"Damn you...I'll not forget about this!"-Kamoshida said as he brought more of his guards
-"Don't stay there! We have to run!"-Morgana said to both teenagers and they all run towards the opposite side from where they came from, hiding on the shadows. When they were gone, the heroes went inside a storage room.
-"Here. This is the perfect place to escape."-Morgana mentioned.-"You can go to the real world from here."
-"Are you for real? I don't see any exit."-Ryuji said.-"Are you sure you didn't trick us?"
-"Agh. Amateur. You gotta have some imagination."-Morgana yelled lowly at him. Kazumi looked around the room and saw a ventilation shaft on the top of a storage.
-"You mean that?"-she pointed it out.
-"Nice going, Miss Kazumi!"-Morgana said with a happy jump-"That ventilation shaft goes all the way to the exit!"
-"I see. So we just have to remove those metal bars."-Ryuji said.-"Wait. When did my clothes changed!?"
-"Didn't you notice it? It was when you awakened your Persona, that cool pirate."-Kazumi said.
-"Oh. For real? Guess I was too busy thinking on something else."-Ryuji said as he scratched embarrassed the back of his head.-"Doesn't that mean you awakened it ever since we came here?"
-"Huh…?"-Kazumi was confused by his comment. Same with Morgana.-"I wonder…"
-"Wait. So you were aware of your cognition before you guys met me?"-Morgana said.-"How is that possible?"
-"We don't have time for that now!"-Kazumi exclaimed at them. Ryuji thought she wanted to skip the question so he let her be and removed the metal bars...falling to the floor on the process.
-"Oh, crap. I hope the enemy didn't hear us."-Ryuji said.
-"It seems we are good for now...Let's go!"-Kazumi said as she suggested Ryuji to go first.-"Morgana, are you coming with us?"
-"No. I'll stay here for now. I have something to do."-the cat replied.
-"Are you sure? I doubt those guards will let you alive this time."-Ryuji said as he jumped on the storage unit.
-"Totally fine. Don't worry about me."-he said relaxed.
-"I hope so. Please stay safe and don't let you get caught."-Kazumi said as she followed Ryuji.
-"You two be careful too."-Morgana said as he saw them leave.
-"Those two are really useful, specially Miss Kazumi…"-he thought-"Maybe I can trust them…"
Back on the real world, Kazumi and Ryuji returned to the rooftop:
-"*gasp* Did we make it back?"-he asked.
-"You have returned to the real world. Welcome back."-the app on Kazumi's phone said.
-"Seems like we actually did it…"-Kazumi answered-"Wait. What time is it now…?"
-"...Oh shit!"-Ryuji yelled as he saw that it was 5pm according to his phone-"It's the sunset already!"
-"What!? You mean we skipped half of the day!?"-Kazumi asked in shock.-"Oh no. We are done for…"
-"Don't think about that! Let's get out of here before any teachers see us!"-Ryuji said as he blasted through the door. Kazumi followed him.
When they reached the second floor, they were busted by Ms. Kawakami:
-"Just what I wanted to see…"-Kawakami said with mad expression-"Kazumi Asaka. Ryuji Sakamoto. Where were you two this whole time?"
-"Hum. A ca - a castle?"-Ryuji said nervous.
-"What kind of answer is that?"-Sadayo crossed her arms.
-"I'm sorry, Ms. Kawakami."-Kazumi apologized-"I ended up sleeping on the library and Ryuji...Sakamoto-kun found me and woke me up just now."
-"Uh? Are you two serious?"-she asked as the two of them nodded in agreement.-"I suppose that Sakamoto-kun was skipping class then."
-"Wait. I was-"-before Ryuji could say anything, Kazumi pinched him on the back to shut him up.
-"Fine. I would let it slide for now as you two seem to be perfectly fine."-she said.-"The school is going to close soon so you better get going."
-"Ok. Thanks, teacher."-Ryuji said as he ran towards his classroom.-"See ya!"-both students said goodbye to each other.
-"Asaka-san, what did I just tell you this morning?"-Sadayo said to her
-"You mean about him? I didn't really do anything…"-she said nervous. Kawakami found it a pain to get involved in her student's life so she just let her be.
On the evening, Kazumi arrived to LeBlanc and stayed on the door very nervous. She inhaled deep before getting in:
-"Welcome back."-Sojiro said in a cold tone as she stepped inside. Yup. She was done for.
-"G-Good evening?"-she tried to greet him but Sojiro looked at her with a tense look enough to cut through a wall.-"Am I in a pinch?"
-"What do you think?"-Sojiro turned at her as she got closer to the bar-"The school called and they said that you skipped all classes after lunchtime."
-"What did I tell you about causing trouble!?"-he said to her in a mad tone.
-"W-What should I say…?"-Kazumi thought in panic.
-"Come on, girl. You have to pull a show. A little white lie won't hurt anybody."-she heard the voice of Pixie inside her head and made up something.
-"I- I'm so sorry, Sojiro-san."-she said as she vowed all the way down-"I thought I could handle the school, but in my first day, everyone just straight up looked down on me. I couldn't stand it and I stayed on the library for a while. I got caught on the books and lost the sense of time."
-"Woah. Look up, girl."-Sojiro said as he felt bad for making her do that-"It's fine. I trust you this time."
-"Really?"-she said as she went back to her position. Suddenly, Sojiro received another call.
-"Yup. What is it?"-he answered-"Yes, I'm going, I just closed the store."
-"It must be the person from the other day…"-Kazumi thought.
-"What are you staring up for? Hurry up upstairs and don't forget to turn off the lights when I'm gone."-he said to her and Kazumi ran upstairs nervous by his call.
-"Y-Yes!"
-"Don't worry, I was talking to a part-timer…"-he said on the phone-"Yes. I'll be there on a couple of minutes."
Kazumi put her backpack on a side and fell down on her bed:
-"I'm so tired…"-she thought-"It must be because all that happened today…"-Morgana and Ryuji's last conversation crossed on her mind.
-"I hope they don't get suspicious of me."-she said-"All of this started because of that weird dream…"
-"Ahh! I give up! I'll go to sleep!"-she said as she changed her clothes and went to sleep.
During the night, she opened her eyes at the sound of a piano and found herself on the Velvet Room again:
-"Uh? This place…"-she murmured
-"Don't slack off, culprit!"-Will suddenly slammed his hand on the table in front of her.
-"Waah!"-she squealed for the jump scare.
-"The judge has words for you. You better take them to the heart."-Victor said as he was holding a book. Kazumi looked up to the judge.
-"First, let us celebrate for our reunion."-Igor said-"It seems you finally have accepted your Shadow. Not only that but you awakened certain other abilities too and even a new ally."
-"All of that is more than needed for the start of your rehabilitation."-he said.
-"What is this rehabilitation you talk about?"-she asked.
-"It's the path you must walk to avoid the ruin coming towards you."-Igor replied.-"Not a big deal as you have progressed a lot and you probably will do more so. I have high expectations on you."
-"What do you mean?"
-"No need to worry. You will understand it when the time comes."-he avoided her question.-"By the by, have you come to appreciate the Metaverse Navigator?"
-"Metaverse Navigator…?"
-"Using it will be useful for you to come and go between the real world and Palaces."-he explained.
-"Do you mean that phone application?"-she intuited surprised.
-"I bestowed to you in the means to train you as a thief."-he said.
-"The Metaverse Navigator is a gift for you from our master. You better take care of it, you moron!"-Will said.
-'Devote yourself to your training so you can become a fine thief."-Victor said and she nodded to the twins.
-"I won't hold back then."-she answered to Igor. She wasn't really sure but there is always a reason for anything, right?
-"On another task, you have found someone you can rely on to stop your ruin."-he said-"Involving yourself with others is an important part of your rehabilitation."
-"You mean Ryuji-kun?"-she asked.
-"Indeed. However, as for others, it will not be good if you formed superficial bonds. True partnerships will open doors to you without frivolity as long as they trust you. In other words, those who have been stolen from a place to belong."-Igor explained.
-"So is it fine to get him involved on this?"-she asked for herself.
-"Don't show fear."-Victor mentioned.-"Closing your heart won't let you anywhere. That kid from earlier, you will surely understand how he'll cooperate with your rehabilitation soon."
-"You know Personas are the strength of your heart right? The more people you develop a bond with, the stronger they will form."-Will said as he was playing with a little hammer on his hand.
-"Indeed. You shall use even myself. Or your outcomes will not come to fruition."-Igor said at Kazumi and a heartbeat resounded on her. She felt the need of a devoted gentleman to meet the expectations of the master.
-"What is this? It feels like Igor has high expectations on me…"-she thought and a tarot card suddenly lighten up in front of her chest.
-"Hmp. Very well, we have a deal."-Igor said as the card revealed it shape as "The Fool" card and a star appeared written on the top of it.
-"I am thou, thou art I.
Thou has acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Fool Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing
That shall lead to freedom and new power."-Kazumi recited unconsciously, she made the card disappear on her hands.
-"What was that just now…?"-she asked.
-"I hope you continue devoting yourself to your rehabilitation."-Igor said at last and smashed the hammer against the table twice.
-"The court has taken a break! Time to enjoy the little sleep that remains on you, culprit!"-Will said and Kazumi woke up on the next morning as her alarm sounded.
April 12th...
She dress up with her uniform and went to school thinking about her weird dream. That day was raining, fortunately, she was carrying an umbrella this time. On her way on the train, she heard the public's opinion about the lately depressing news. She wondered about how people reacted to that incident on her town...no, it was no time to think about that.
Starting classes, Kazumi was looking through the window distracted as Mr. Ushimaru, the social studies teacher, was giving his lesson about social behavior. He, of course, spotted her:
-"You, the new kid!"-he exclaimed gaining her attention
-"Y-Yes!"-she said in surprise.
-"The Greek Philosopher Plato described the human soul in three parts. The soul is divided into appetite, spirit and what else?"-he asked her.
-"Eh? Will it be logic sir?"-she answered unsecure. The teacher clapped his hand congratulating her.
-"Exactly."-he said. He added more to the explanation but Kazumi was concentrated on relaxing herself after that scare.
-"I feel more curious about this now that I answered it correctly."-she thought-"Maybe that question made me a bit smarter."
*Kazumi's knowledge increased by 1 point*
-"No way. She got that right."-someone murmured.
-"Maybe she's very dedicated at studying aside from being a criminal?"-other person said.
After classes, Kazumi went out of her classroom and found next the her; her class neighbor, Takamaki, being stopped by Mr. Kamoshida:
-"Hey, Takamaki. Don't you want a ride back home?"-he said with a smile that disturbed Kazumi a lot because it reminded her of his Shadow.-"I heard things had became pretty dangerous with all those incidents."
-"Sorry. I have a photographic session today I can't miss."-she replied.
-"I knew she was a model!"-Kazumi thought as her eyes shone.
-"Oh, right. She hates me…"-and they lost shine.
-"Woah. I don't want you to overwork yourself."-Kamoshida replied-"You had to go the hospital last time right? Was it appendicitis?"
-"Yeah. I didn't feel good. Sorry to worry you about it."-she said in a not very convincing tone as she looked away from him.
-"You must be lonely too. I feel bad that I keep your best friend on practice all the time."-Kamoshida said with a sorrowful expression.-"That's why I asked you out on the first place...ah, and don't get closer to that transfer student."
-"Look who talks! I'm 100% safer than you in all means!"-Kazumi thought as she looked away and headed to the first floor, while she heard the girl rejecting him completely.
When Kazumi crossed the school gates, she found Ryuji waiting for her:
-"Yo. How're you doing?"-he asked while he kicked a little stone on the road.
-"Where you waiting for me?"-she asked.
-"Something like that."-Ryuji scratched the back of his head in nervousness-"I just wanted to confirm with you that what we saw yesterday was real…"
-"I'm still confused about it too…"-she said as she looked away.-"Whether it was a dream or not."
-"Specially because of this."-Ryuji showed his phone to her and saw the eye icon on it.
-"That's…!"-she said surprised.
-"I know right?"-he said as he looked it back-"This app appeared on my phone this morning and nothing I do eliminates it completely."
-"Just like my phone."-she said.
-"Doesn't that mean that we actually saw Kamoshida doing all those things?"-Ryuji said while he was deep in his thoughts.
-"Why is that important…? It was his cognition after all…"-Kazumi said confused. Ryuji took her hand and drove her towards a nearby alley.
-"You see. There's a lot of rumors going around Kamoshida."-Ryuji explained-"One of them is that he physically abuses the players from the Volleyball team during their practices."
-"No way..! So when Morgana said that those slaves were inside Kamoshida's head, he meant…"-she said-"His victims?"
-"I didn't understand that, but it's a possibility."-Ryuji answered-"But nobody dares to speak up to him because he's some Olympic medallist who put the Volleyball team on the nationals."
-"The way he was a King of that Castle felt crazy real because of that."-he said.-"If we can go back again…"
-"So, you want to get evidence of his abuse?"-Kazumi asked and he nodded surprised that she figured it out so easily.-"Don't look at me like that. I figured out because I know how you feel about him."
-"Woah. It looks like I am pretty obvious…"-Ryuji said closing his eyes on disappointment.-"Anyways, my proposal is that we go back and take photos of the prisoners. So we can know who those victims are in reality."
-"Is that for the best?"-Kazumi thought.-"We clearly don't know if Morgana will be with us again and the two of us going by ourselves sounds risky."
-"You don't really trust on yourself, do you?"-he asked.
-"Of course I do."-she said a bit annoyed.-"But what if we look for them in reality? The Volleyball rally is tomorrow right?"
-"Maybe we can spot students from the Volleyball team who look suspicious."-she said.
-"I see what you're gettin' at!"-Ryuji said excited.-"All right. Now I'm getting pumped for this and you should be too."
-"Uhm?"
-"I remember that you have a criminal record, right?"-he said.-"I believe that Kamoshida leaked it to the whole school and that's why everyone knows about it."
-"Seriously!?"-Kazumi was in shock as she remembered the girl, Takamaki, from earlier.-"It's his fault that…"
-"Believe me. It had to be a teacher and even more, maybe he just did it because he doesn't like you."-Ryuji said and noticed her expression.-"Now you look very excited to take him down too! Kazumi, we are going to get along pretty well."
-"I think so too, Ryuji-kun."she said a bit flustered. She heard her heartbeat again and suddenly spaced out as she was on an empty black space. Another tarot card appeared from her chest.-"This is…! I can feel a bond of trust from Ryuji-kun…"
Damn. Interrogation time.
-"Acting alone as a Phantom Thief could've more efficient alone. You could've gone that way about it…"-Sae said.-"However, you did not. There are merits to having associates. That's what you decided."
-"Am I wrong?"
Sae being an annoying gag (1) finished.
-"I am thou, thou art I.
Thou has acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Chariot Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing
That shall lead to freedom and new power."-Kazumi recited on her mind before the card was marked with a star and vanished.
She, then, returned back to her reality, where Ryuji's stomach just suddenly growled:
-"Oh right. I haven't eaten anything since lunch."-he said.-"Now that our plan is settled, wanna go for a bite somewhere?"
-"Eh? Sure. Why not?"-she said.-"I haven't really seen anything of Tokyo aside from where I live and the school."
-"Nice. Follow me. I'm really curious about your past too, you know!"-he said in an excited tone that made Kazumi feel uncomfortable.
After a train ride, they ended up in a ramen shop. While the chef was attending their orders, Ryuji noticed Kazumi acting weird:
-"What is it?"-he asked.-"You look shy all of the sudden."
-"Nothing serious really."-she said as she retired a hair from her cheek to put it behind her ear-"It's just that...I have never hanged out or been friends with boys before."
-"For real? I suppose that's not weird. I only passed my time out with guys too back on the track team."-Ryuji sighed.-"All the girls always ignored me but I was fine with them."
-"No. This is different!"-she clarified.-"The guys at my school never really talked to me. I was always with girls and when I was on the softball team, my fans were always girls. I received even love letters from them…"
-"F-For real?"-Ryuji's pride was hit hard to that. He couldn't believe a girl like her was way more popular with girls than him.
-"Your meal is ready."-the chef said as he put the ramen bowls in front of them.
-"Thank you."-both greeted before taking the chopsticks.
-"Anyways, you know about me and the track team already."-he said-"Why don't you start about how you got that record?"
-"Well. I'll do it."-Kazumi said as she saw him already starting to eat. She told him about the central cause but kept the story about her brother's death and Hiromi's sudden behavior for herself. She really didn't want to talk about it now.
-"What? That's bullshit!"-Ryuji exclaimed furious-"How much shittier can that bitch get!?"-it was his reaction about the trap.
-"It's now in the past. Now I have to focus on my probation."-she said before going back to her noodles.
-"You really are an unworried soul, huh?"-Ryuji said.-"Anyways, I think we might be pretty similar."
-"Why do you say so?"-she asked.
-"I mean we both are treated by people around us like a pain in the ass."-he stated.-"After all, the way Kamoshida disbanded the track team made all the fault fall on me."
-"What did you do?"-she asked curious.
-"Well, just to say it, he pissed me off on a practice and I lost control of myself. That ended up with me with a broken leg and the team disbanded. They blamed me for not keeping my mouth shut."
-"Ryuji-kun…"-she felt bad for asking as Ryuji didn't seem well remembering it.
-"Let's forget about that now!"-he said as he thought it was making her depressed.-"You barely touched your food. Let me help you."
-"Oh no! I'll do it myself, thank you."-she said as she put the bowl apart.
-"Haha. Man, you really are cute."-he said.
-"Stop that!"-she said as she saw him taking a strip of pork from her bowl.
-"Oh by the way, gimme your phone number and chat ID too."-he said after eating it.-"We need to stay in contact now with all the things we are doing tomorrow!"
-"Yes. I guess you are right."-she pulled out her phone and the both of them registered their numbers.
Meanwhile at school, Takamaki was talking excited with a girl with sporting clothes, maroon hair tied on a ponytail, brown eyes and with many bandages on her body:
-"I haven't been able to sleep well."-the girl said.-"When I try to close my eyes, I keep thinking about a lot of things…"
-"Shiho…"-Takamaki said worried.
-"Nationals are coming. So I keep thinking…"-she said-"Should someone like me be on the starting lineup?"
-"Don't worry. Just be confident in yourself."-her friend tried to cheer her up.-"Your skills had been recognized. It's because you worked harder than anyone else!"
-"Yeah...It's because Volleyball is all that I have after all…"-Shiho said quietly.
-"More importantly, it's that injury ok? It looks really swollen."-Takamaki said.
-"It's fine. I can't slack off. Specially because a meeting is coming soon."-Shiho said. The blueish-haired boy of Kazumi's class interrupted on their conversation.
-"Sorry to interrupt you, Suzui."-he said with an upset look on his eyes-"But Mr. Kamoshida wanted me to get you."
-"...What does he want?"-Shiho said on a surprised tone.
-"He didn't say."-the boy replied. Shiho sighed and turned to her friend:
-"Ann, I…"-she tried to say.
-"Don't worry. I'm sure it's about the meeting of the starting lineup setup."-she tried to cheer her.
-"...Yeah."-Shiho answered not really excited and followed the boy.-"I'll see you later."
-"Yup. Good luck!"-Ann said. Her smiling face turned into one of seriousness-"Please hang in there, Shiho…"
Back to Kazumi, she arrived home shortly after the rush hour. Sojiro assumed that she didn't cause any troubles like yesterday and went to school normally. Of course, that didn't stop him for reminding her about her position:
-"I got a message."-Kazumi answered her phone. It was a message from Ryuji to confirm her number.
-"Are you even listening to me?"-Sojiro said-"Stay away from bad influences."
-"Got it."-she said as she put her phone back.
-"Also, I don't know if your father has told you this before."-he said.-"But watch yourself from the guys. Not that you're not allowed to get a boyfriend, but it's not safe if you hang out with anyone. This is not like your hometown, understood?"
-"Don't worry. I'll keep that in mind."-she said as she remembered that she hanged out with Ryuji. Hopefully, nobody saw them like that.
Before she went to bed as the rally was tomorrow, Kazumi received another message from Ryuji:
-"Hey, I just remembered something."
"What is it?"
-"That app with the weird eye. How can we use it to go back to that castle?"
"Uhm. Something about the words we said on the rooftop?"
-"Yeah. I tried them out but nothing came from it."
"We can figure out that later. We have to do an investigation tomorrow, remember?"
-"Oh yeah. Just sayin'."
"Good night."
-"Good night!"*
April 13th…
Kazumi was walking towards her school and heard two guys in front of her talking about how suddenly was the Volleyball rally set up and the awesome spike of Kamoshida. Also, something about how the Volleyball team was all ragged which made her think about the psychical abuse rumors.
On the first class, Ms. Kawakami told the students to change up on their sports uniform to go to the Volleyball matches on the gym. Later, in the afternoon, a Teacher vs Student match took place.
With Kamoshida on the front, the teachers' team got a point after Kamoshida made a student fall with a spike that hurt his arm:
-"Nice toss!"-a teacher said.
-"You still have it coach!"-another said as he high-fived with him.
-"Thanks. Let's keep going!"-Kamoshida said excited.
Kazumi was sitting on the floor next to Ryuji while she saw the guy that was hit. It was the blueish-haired boy of her class:
-"That must hurt…"-she thought.
-"...Still sticks out. It hasn't changed at all."-Ryuju said looking at the other side of the court where Ann Takamaki and other girls were watching the match. Kazumi supposed that Ryuji was looking at Takamaki.
-"Did you say something?"-she asked.
-"Uh?"-Ryuji paid attention to Kazumi-"Nah. This is pretty boring, huh?"-he said as he stretched his arms.
-"As much as I enjoy sports, I can't say that watching sweaty old man playing is fun."-she murmured at him with a smile and he laughed back. Kazumi looked at Takamaki, who was spacing out and playing with one of her ponytails, and back at Ryuji. Will those two know each other?
-"Here I go!"-Kamoshida's amused yell drew her attention and she saw him doing a strong spike. It was so strong that it hit the blueish-haired boy on the face and he was knocked out on the floor. It was so strong that it felt like it was on purpose.
The other students and Kamoshida went to support the boy and send him to the nurse office:
-"Did he really worried about that boy?"-Kazumi doubted deeply.
-"He'll pay soon enough."-Ryuji murmured as he threw the ball back on the court.
After the match, Kazumi and Ryuji gathered on the courtyard:
-"Damn it. Just to get to know each other my ass. This whole thing is just one-man strike to bust his ego."-Ryuji said with anger.-"And how he acted like he was worried about Mishima? What a scumbag…"
-"Anyways. Shall we start with the investigation now?"-Kazumi said to try to calm him down.
-"Oh yeah. I think I kind of remember some Volleyball team members."-he said.-"Let's start with one of your class. Hopefully we can get him to talk, people tend to avoid me. Then, again, you're on the same boat."
-"We have to try anyways. Maybe we can get at least someone who can tell us the truth."-Kazumi cheered on him and they went towards her classroom.
In there, they spotted a guy close to the chalkboard. He was covered in bruises and bandages:
-"Is that him?"-she asked.
-"It seems so."-Ryuji said as they went to him trying to avoid to draw the attention of the rest of the students on that classroom.
-"Hey, sorry…"-Kazumi approached to him first.
-"What?"-he answered as he saw them-"Are you skipping the Volleyball rally? As expected of you, transfer student."
-"Not that we care."-Ryuji answered.
-"You too, Sakamoto?"-he answered surprised.
-"It's a sudden question but how did you get injured like that?"-Kazumi asked softly at him.
-"...This? It's from the volley practice. Why do you ask?"-he answered while he was keeping his guard.
-"Kamoshida did this you, didn't he?"-Ryuji spoke.-"We won't tell anybody if you squealed. Just tell us how he was abusing you."
-"I-I don't know what are you talking about!"-he answered back.
-"Are you afraid? Did he threat you if you said something?"-Kazumi asked.
-"No! It's nothing. You guys are just talking nonsense."-he looked away from them.
-"Looks like he ain't talking."-Ryuji said.-"Let's try somewhere else."
-"Ok."-Kazumi answered as she followed him. They split up so they could ask more people, Kazumi's next objective was a guy on the third grade. She found the guy on the hallway along with another one:
-"What do you want?"-he asked to her.
-"Are you from the Volleyball team? How did you get those injuries?"-she asked.
-"...It's from practice."-he answered.
-"Hey. I know who this girl is. She's that transfer student of the rumors and she has seen hanging out with Sakamoto…"-the guy next to him said.-"What a terrible taste honestly…"
-"Oh. I get it. You're trying to snoop on Mr. Kamoshida right?"-the injured student said as he brought the attention of Ann and Shiho who were chatting right on the corner close to them.-"Look, our team is aiming for the Nationals so of course our training is rough. Mr. Kamoshida just trains us as well as he can. Don't believe everything that Sakamoto says…"
-"Are you sure he is not abusing you?"-she insisted.
-"As if!"-he said.
-"Let's leave her alone. Surely she must be hallucinating or something."-the other one said as they left her alone.
Kazumi sighed as she checked her phone to inform Ryuji. Behind her, Ann was looking at her with an intense look of suspicion.
Ryuji didn't get any results on his own but he advised her to go with a first-grade student member who probably was caught up on Kamoshida's twisted methods. However, this guy didn't tell her anything but he slipped about how worse it was for a student called Mishima and his special training. An announcement came from the school's radio telling that all the matches on the rally were finished and students should go home.
Kazumi and Ryuji agreed to meet again on the courtyard. While Kazumi was waiting for him drinking banana milk, a voice told her:
-"Can I talk to you for a sec?"-when she turned around. She saw Takamaki with a serious look on her face.
-"T-Takamaki-san?"-she said surprised.-"I-Is something wrong? I'm waiting for someone right now…"
-"It'll be quick."-she answered.-"Anyway. How has it been with you? Something about how you skipped half of your first day and those weird rumors about you too."
-"I'm managing. Thank you for asking…"-Kazumi said nervous and went back to drinking her milk.
-"I thought you were a nice girl that day…"-Takamaki said-"However, I'm not here to discuss that."
-"What do you want with her then?"-Ryuji suddenly interrupted the blonde girl.
-"Right back at you. You are not even in our class."-Takamaki said back.
-"...We just happened to get to know each other."-Ryuji answered nervous.
-"What are you two planning to do to Mr. Kamoshida?"-Takamaki asked directly.
-"Huh!?"-Ryuji snapped.-"Oh. I getcha. You're buddy-buddy with Kamoshida after all."
-"This has nothing to do with you, Sakamoto."-she replied angry.
-"If you knew what he's doing behind your back. You'll dump him right away."-Ryuji answered.
-"What's that supposed to mean?"-Takamaki wondered.
-"You'll soon find out."-he murmured.
-"Anyways. I heard you guys are trying to get intel on him. Let me tell you that no one is going to help you with that."-she said.-"I just wanted to warn you. That's all."
-"Takamaki-san. Has...Has he done anything to you?"-Kazumi asked her before she left-"I couldn't help to notice that you seem uncomfortable around him."
-"T-That must be your imagination!"-Ann replied nervous before she left.
-"Geez. Why does she have to be aggressive all the time?"-Ryuji said on a low tone.
-"Do you know her?"-Kazumi asked as she turned to look at him.
-"Well, we were on the same class since middle school."-he answered.-"How come you don't know her? She's on your class after all."
-"She ignores me like everyone else because of the rumors…"-Kazumi answered-"I tried to ask her to be my friend when I met her on my first day."
-"For real?"-Ryuji asked surprised.-"Well, that could be a problem if she ends up being into Kamoshida more than it looks."
-"...Ryuji-kun. I don't think you understand women."-Kazumi said looking at him hopeless. Ryuji didn't really get what she got from Takamaki's warning.
-"Why do you say that?"-he was even more hopeless than she thought.
-"Forget it. Anyways, about our investigation…"-she went back to the theme.
-"I didn't get anything. Not even a name slipped off."-Ryuji said disappointed.-"You?"
-"The first year member told me that someone called Mishima was receiving a special training from Kamoshida."-she said.
-"Special training, huh?"-Ryuji thought.-"I have seen the guy always covered in bruises. We should ask him before he goes home. He should be out of the nursery already."
On the school gate, Mishima was reached by the two rebels:
-"Hey, got a second?"-Ryuji asked him when they stopped him.
-"Sakamoto?"-he asked surprised and saw Kazumi next to him-"...and you too!?"
-"C'mmon. We just wanna chat."-the blonde boy said-"Kamoshida is been 'coaching' you, huh? Are you sure is not psychical abuse?"
-"...I never thought about it, but Ryuji-kun actually acts like a punk sometimes."-Kazumi thought as she saw Ryuji speaking to the blueish-haired boy.
-"Certainly not!"-Mishima denied.
-"We saw you bein' spiked by him today. Right on the face."-Ryuji said as he crossed his arms.
-"That's because I'm not good at sports…!"-Mishima tried to defend his denial.
-"That doesn't explain the other bruises you got."-the blonde replied.
-"Well, they are…"-before Mishima could talk back…
-"What's going on here?"-Kamoshida suddenly interrupted on their conversation. He then started to indirectly bully Mishima for not going to his today's practice. Although Ryuji tried to defend the kid, Mishima just agreed to the demands of his coach.
-"That asshole…"-Ryuji murmured as Kamoshida was leaving.
-"It's meaningless."-Mishima spoke-"Even if you get proofs that he's abusing us...It'll be meaningless."
-"Why do you say so?"-Kazumi asked.
-"The Principal...Our parents, they all know about it and they keep it quiet."-Mishima admitted shocking the other two.
-"This is gotta be a joke…"-Ryuji said.
-"Stop doing this. You should know that nothing can be done more than anyone else…"-Mishima directed an intense look at Ryuji and he looked away from him. Kazumi looked down in sadness for all that was happening and took her phone discreetly.-"You don't know how I'm feeling right now. Keep your nose out of this!"-Mishima suddenly ran away towards the other building.
-"Ugh. What now?"-Ryuji doubted of himself.-"Kazumi, I'll try one more time to convince the others. It's the least I can do."
-"Ok. I'll go home then. Tell me if you found something."-she said as they parted ways.
On the evening, Kazumi was looking at her phone, specifically at the Metaverse Navigator. A sudden thought crossed her mind:
-"What if we convince Kamoshida to stop his crimes with this?".
Take Your Time.
*Author's note: When the characters are texting, their dialogue lines will appear with a symbol:
Kazumi: ""
Ryuji: -""
Ann: ×""
Yusuke: *""
Makoto: /""
Futaba: ""
Haru: $""
Akechi: ""